Initial COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the United Kingdom (23 March–12 May 2020) prompted lifestyle changes for many people. We explored the impact of this lockdown phase on pet dogs using an online survey completed by 6004 dog owners, who provided information including dog management data for the 7 days prior to survey completion (4–12 May 2020), and for February 2020 (pre-lockdown). We explored associations between potential predictors and four outcomes relating to changes pre-/during lockdown (reduction in number and duration of walks; increased frequency of play/training, and provision of toys). Most owners (79.5%) reported their dog’s routine had changed compared to pre-lockdown. There was a four-fold increase in the proportion not left alone for >5 min on any day during a weekly period (14.6% pre-lockdown, 58.0% during lockdown), with the proportion being left for ≥3 h at a time decreasing from 48.5% to 5.4%. Dogs were walked less often and for less time daily during lockdown, with factors related to the dog, owner, household, and home location associated with changes to walking practices. Many dogs had more play/training sessions and were given toys more frequently during lockdown. Decreased walk duration was associated with increased odds of play/training opportunities and toy provision. These changes to dog management have the potential for immediate and longer-term welfare problems.

In 2018, Dogs Trust (UK) launched the Post Adoption Support project, the largest known prospective cohort study investigating behavioural and health problems post-rehoming of dogs. Individuals adopting a dog from any UK Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre are eligible to receive phone calls regarding their dog’s health and behaviour at specific timepoints after adoption (2 days, 2 weeks, 4 months). Alongside providing an early and proactive framework to support the wellbeing of the adopter and dog, the project collects rich longitudinal data on dog health and behaviour following adoption to assess the development of issues, the impact of support given, and re-relinquishment risk. This paper details the methodology and study design of the Post Adoption Support project and describes a cohort profile of adoptions over an initial 6-month period. In the cohort, behaviour and health data were collected from 5498 adopters, with call success for those eligible ranging from 72% (4 months) to 89% (2 days). Data from these calls will provide significant insights into canine welfare during the first 4 months post-adoption, which can be used to inform strategies for effective and impactful rehoming and post-adoption support.

Attending puppy training classes may help to improve the human–dog relationship and the overall behaviour and trainability of the dog, yet class attendance and the structure and content of classes are not well known. This study aimed to describe the size and structure of classes attended and reasons for non-attendance, and to identify factors associated with training class attendance, by owners of puppies under 19-weeks-old. In a sample of 2187 owners participating in the ‘Generation Pup’ study, 67% reported attending at least one training class. Factors associated with increased odds of class attendance were higher household income, previous intention to attend, first-time ownership, and/or those who received a puppy information pack at acquisition. The likelihood of attending decreased as the acquisition age of the puppy increased. Classes were reported to vary in relation to the number, age, and size of puppies. Class content also varied, for example, in relation to opportunities for puppies to play with each other and training advice given. Common reasons for non-attendance included owners wanting to work with the puppy themselves and/or no suitable classes being available. These data may help to better understand training class attendance for young dogs and could inform strategies to encourage attendance amongst the dog-owning population.